The Ohio House of Representatives is now considering important legislation to combat human trafficking. Please join us in taking action to support HB493 to criminalize human trafficking and punish criminals who exploit others for profit in Ohio. Ohio is one of only five states without human trafficking laws!

A recent study released by the Ohio Attorney General Trafficking in Persons Research Commission estimates that there are more than 750 foreign national human trafficking victims who are brought to Ohio for forced labor or commercial sex. The study also estimates that more than 1, 000 American children between the ages of 12-17 become human trafficking victims for the purpose of commercial sex in Ohio every year.

Ohio is a transit, destination, and source state for human trafficking victims. Two recent cases highlight the fact that human trafficking exists in Ohio. In December 2009, Alan Townsend pled guilty to federal child sex trafficking charges after luring a 14 year old with promises of a modeling career. Townsend transported the minor from Ohio to Florida where he intended to prostitute her for profit. Townsend faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to life in prison. Also in December 2009, two Ohio men, Robert Harris and Richard Johnson, pled guilty to sex trafficking by force and other prostitution-related crimes after transporting women and children, including a 16- year-old victim from Ohio, to Maryland for the purpose of prostitution. The two men were sentenced to 15 years in prison a piece.  A third Ohio man in the case, Craig Allen Corey II—a private first class in the Army—recently pled guilty and was sentenced 17 years in prison.

HB493: To Amend Sections of the Revised Code Relative to Trafficking in Persons
Representative Kathleen Chandler introduced HB493 to create a new felony offense of human trafficking—allowing prosecutors to target traffickers with a stronger law, instead of stitching together other crimes in order to punish them.

HB493 also: Increases penalty of compelling prostitution of minors under 16 to a first degree felony
Requires that child victims receive appropriate services
Requires the posting of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (hotline)
Requires training of law enforcement
Click here for more provisions in HB493

HB493 has bipartisan co-sponsorship from 22 representatives: Williams, B., Pillich, Newcomb, Lehner, Driehaus, Harris, Letson, Hagan, Lundy, Skindell, Foley, Yuko, Fende, Winburn, Stewart, DeGeeter, Garland, Derickson, Harwood, Brown, Pryor, Mallory.  

HB493 is a step in the right direction toward comprehensively addressing human trafficking in Ohio. HB493 will make it clear that modern-day slavery will not be tolerated in Ohio.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP
1. Take the pledge to vote for Free Generation International to receive a $20,000 donation from Chase Bank.  They need your vote on Facebook.  I don't have $20,000 to donate against human trafficking, but Chase Bank does with your vote.

2. If you would like to do more, please visit the Human Trafficking Petition page on Change.org.  There are currently 60+ petitions you can sign to help improve polices and make changes in the fight against modern slavery.

Thank you and keep up the fight!